Rep. John Ley

Maddy summaryHB 2518 prohibits vehicle manufacturers from discriminating against dealers in pricing, allocation, or service fees. It bans practices like charging different prices for identical vehicles or parts to different dealers, using unfair promotion plans, or preventing dealers from requesting service fees on certain programs. The law also restricts manufacturers from competing with dealers by owning or operating dealerships, except in limited cases like temporary transitions (up to 2 years), diversity partnerships with capital investment requirements, or heavy-truck dealerships. This bill directly affects Washington-based vehicle manufacturers and their new vehicle dealers by requiring fair treatment under state law.

Maddy summaryHB 2461 establishes a Washington state commission on boys and men to address systemic challenges they face in areas like education, health, workforce participation, and justice system involvement. The commission will collect data, analyze disparities (such as higher rates of homelessness or suicide), and develop evidence-based recommendations for policy changes. It will consist of 15 appointed members who must focus on six key areas, including mental health, fatherhood, and reducing overrepresentation in justice systems, and will submit biennial reports to the legislature. The bill directly affects boys, male youth, and men across Washington state by creating a formal mechanism to study and address their specific needs through data-driven policy analysis.

Maddy summaryHB 2090 directs Washington’s Department of Commerce to develop a strategic framework for integrating advanced nuclear energy into the state’s clean energy goals. The plan, due by December 2026, would assess how nuclear power could help meet Washington’s targets for 100% clean electricity by 2045, including evaluating siting, permitting, financing, and workforce needs - particularly at former coal sites or the Hanford area. It would examine opportunities for state collaboration with other regions and recommend policies like expediting permits or financial incentives to support nuclear development. The bill does not fund nuclear projects but requires the state to explore nuclear as a potential pathway to replace current fossil fuel generation and achieve decarbonization goals more efficiently.

Maddy summaryHB 2234 allocates funds from Washington's Climate Commitment Account to directly offset increased utility costs for public schools resulting from the Climate Commitment Act. It amends RCW 28A.150.260 to require specific funding allocations for schools facing higher energy bills due to climate regulations. The bill creates a dedicated mechanism within the existing climate account to provide financial relief, ensuring schools aren't disproportionately burdened by environmental compliance costs. This provision affects all Washington public schools experiencing utility cost increases tied to state climate policies. The funding is drawn from the broader climate account, which also supports other environmental programs, but this allocation is specifically targeted at school utility expenses.

Maddy summaryHB 2226 updates rules for governing boards of Washington's public transportation benefit areas to ensure fairer representation. It requires proportional representation based on population for cities and unincorporated areas within the transit district, limits board sizes (11 members for single-county areas, 17 for multi-county), and mandates two new "transit-using" voting members who must regularly rely on public transit or represent transit users. The bill also requires meetings to be accessible by transit and provides specific training for these members on open-government laws. These changes directly affect regional transit authorities and their governing boards, aiming to better align board composition with community needs.

Maddy summaryHB 2335 would repeal tax increases on businesses enacted in 2025, specifically targeting provisions from 2025 Chapter 420. It removes a surcharge on businesses with over $250 million in taxable income (RCW 82.04.288) and eliminates an "Advanced Computing Surcharge," along with 13 other tax provisions from the 2025 law. These changes would directly affect high-grossing businesses and financial institutions subject to the repealed tax rates. The bill takes effect April 1, 2026, reversing specific tax increases implemented by the 2025 legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 2143 changes how transportation benefit district boards are structured in Washington State. It requires proportional representation on boards based on population in larger counties without major cities, preventing any single city from dominating the board. The bill adds two new voting positions: one for a regular public transit user and one representing community organizations that use transit. It also mandates that board meetings be held at times and locations accessible by public transit.

Maddy summaryHB 2153 prohibits homebuyers from receiving more than one state-funded down payment assistance loan or grant from Washington's housing programs. It directly affects first-time homebuyers who might apply for multiple assistance programs, ensuring they can only accept one offer. The bill amends state law to state that applicants applying for multiple programs (or multiple offers from one program) are eligible for only a single loan or grant. This change aims to fairly distribute limited public funds to more qualified homebuyers instead of concentrating benefits on a single buyer.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Washington state laws related to child abuse and neglect definitions and procedures, though it is titled "Concerning coaches of youth sports organizations." The legislation updates legal definitions for terms like "child," "child protective services," and "family assessment response" to clarify how child welfare cases are handled. It establishes specific criteria for determining when a child is at risk of entering foster care and outlines protocols for child forensic interviews conducted in supportive environments like children's advocacy centers. The bill aims to improve consistency in how child abuse reports are investigated and responded to by state agencies, without changing the core requirement for youth sports coaches to undergo background checks.

Maddy summaryHB 2138 requires Washington public schools to implement evidence-based reading programs by the 2028-29 school year, focusing on foundational literacy skills for students in grades K-4. It mandates schools to hire reading coaches, adopt structured literacy approaches aligned with research (emphasizing phonics, fluency, and comprehension), and provide targeted support for students with dyslexia. The bill also creates READ grants of up to $75,000 annually per elementary school to fund literacy initiatives, requires the state to publish 10 years of school performance data online, and directs a review comparing Washington’s math standards to Singapore’s method (with a 2026 report deadline). These changes directly affect elementary schools, teachers, and students, particularly those struggling with early literacy and math proficiency.